Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)

The Government took a decision in the budget to give huge tax cuts to developers, the fast food industry and the hospitality sector to boost trade and competitiveness. In doing so, it has made people 2% worse off according to the ESRI and the bottom 10% of society are 4.4% worse off.

I will specifically ask the Taoiseach about electricity. We have the highest electricity costs in the EU and we hear that retail prices are three times higher than wholesale prices. Massive profiteering is taking place in electricity that will increase poverty, but it is also a huge cost on small businesses, which the Government claims it wants to help. When will we have a not-for-profit electricity sector? The Taoiseach talked as if it was a terrible thing in response to an earlier question. It would be hugely supported in society because it is the cost that is worrying people more than anything else. Average bills are also due to increase €207 more than last year with no support.

See this speech in context